Lost a Best Friend

Parker, Lindi and I lost our family's best friend on Monday.  We put Shelby to sleep after 9 years of making our family complete.  We all three love her and will miss her very much.

The Big Boy's B-day Celebration

Well, we finally got around to celebrating Parker turning 2. We had his "construction" party here at the house. Family and friends came to celebrate and all of the kids had fun playing on the water slide. With a little peer pressure we talked Parker into going down it also. He had a lot of fun. Thank you so much to everyone who came. We enjoyed spending time with each of you.

Parker learns to fish

We went to the farm to visit Nana and Pops for the 4th of July. They were amazed to see how much Parker has changed since the last time they saw him. They couldn't believe how much he was talking. While we were there, Pops showed Parker how to fish. Although Parker was often times distracted, they still managed to catch a little something. Parker got to meet the cows and was still "mooing" when we got home.

Trip to Seaworld

Parker went on his first trip to Seaworld. This was the first time he had to spend that much time in the car. Surprisingly he did really well. My mom, grandmother, sister, niece and nephew went with us. Daddy got to miss out on all of the fun because he had to stay home and work. Lucky him!!! We stayed at a nice resort that had a lazy river and a small beach for the kids to play in. They really liked that.

Seaworld was a lot of fun. It was hot, hot, hot! Parker wasn't too sure what was going on, but he watched each and every show. He would sit in my lap and hold onto my arms. Sometimes the music and everything scared him and he would take my arms and cover his eyes, but I would catch him still peeking out. Every time a dolphin or Shamu would jump out of the water Parker would get startled. It was so cute. Here are some pics of the trip.

Just leaving!!!

Playing in the sand at the hotel.

Having fun with cousin Brady!

Watching the dolphin show!

Nana and Parker

Allie and Brady got their faces painted. Brady got a snake and Allie got a princess design. Parker would not sit still so I didn't even try.

Drinking out of his Shamu cup

On our way home, pooped!

Parker is 2!!!

Wow, another year has come and gone. What a great year!!! Unfortunately this birthday has not gone as planned. With Parker's birthday falling on a Saturday this year we had a big bash planned. Well, those plans fell apart when we realized that Parker was sick. We took him to the doctor and she said that Parker was very contagious and that we should probably go ahead and postpone the party. So that is what we did. We will reschedule when he is all better!

I guess he won't know the difference anyway. He was just excited to play with all of his friends. We got him a cupcake from the store and sang happy birthday to him. He tried to put the candle out with his fingers and started crying, but stopped when he realized he was going to get some cake out of the deal.

Did you think I forgot???

So, I know it has been a while since my last post. I am such a terrible blogger! I am going to try my best to keep everyone updated. Now that school is out I don't have any excuses. Here are some pictures that you missed over the last couple of months:

Parker's Best Friend: Shelby (March 2010)

Easter 2010

He looks like such a big boy in this picture. He was helping mommy and daddy wash the cars.

Parker is doing great these days. He is growing into a little boy and is far from that little baby I held in my arms just a few years ago. He is learning things so quickly now and it is awesome to see him picking up new phrases each day. One of his favorite phrases is "Oh-Mannnnnnnnnnnnnnn".


He is still completely obsessed with the trash can and now his obsession has moved on to the trash truck. He really enjoys trash day and loves talking about how the trash truck picks up the trash can and then sets it back down with a "Boom". (Yes, weird but funny!)

Yes, those are boots he is wearing!!!

He is counting to 10, can say most of his ABC's (although some letters are more or less hummed and not really said), and knows the difference between red and green. He will tell you the difference every time you "Stop" at a "red" light or "Go" at a "green" light.

We have also started potty training. (Not Ryan, but Parker!) Right now, I ask him if he has to go potty and sometimes he will try and sometimes he refuses. I am not making him use the potty, right now if he wants to then great, if not no big deal. He is doing really good so hopefully by the end of the summer we will have made some real progress.

He is such a sweet little boy and loves giving kisses and hugs. When I pick him up at the YMCA after I workout, all of the ladies talk about how loving of a child he is. That makes me smile. They also say that he really likes cleaning up the toys. That makes me laugh. I guess he got his cleaning skills from Nana Rich.

Zoo Boo

Last Saturday we met up with Travis, Kristi and Chase at the Houston Zoo for our annual Zoo trip and Zoo Boo. The Zoo's twist on Halloween. Weather was a bit hot (hint...Global Warming) so Parker and Chase sported Halloween shirts instead of the hot Halloween costumes.

Favorite Animals :

Kristi - Elephants

Travis - Anteater

Chase - Lion

Lindi - Tiger

Ryan - Big Horned Cow (Not a Longhorn, but can't remember the name)

Parker - Whatever animal was closest to a trash can....his obsession with trash cans is truly unique.

Oct Update

It has been awhile so I wanted to take minute to show off my buddy. He is everywhere now! Growing like a weed, talking up a storm and learning things faster than I ever thought. Still hates vegetables and sitting still, but loves Mom and Dad and A&M Football.

Texans Practice

Who else cannot wait for Football! We hit the Aggie Spring game and this time Pops and me took Parker to the Texans practice. Although hot, it was a great time and we had front row seats for Andre Johnson's making two DB's look like girls on an corner route for a touchdown.

First Family Vacation

Our family took our first family vacation together down in Galveston. We stayed at the San Luis Resort and although it rained both days, we we able to enjoy the beach, pool and hotel.

First Steps on the Beach...No we didn't see any Tar Balls!

First Tumble

Wishing he could go back to the beach

Parker's first ride on a water slide. Must say I should have tried it before taking him down...it was a bit faster than anticipated!

Parker Turns 1!!!!!!!

Can you believe it? My baby boy is now a toddler!!! It is hard to imagine that just last summer Parker was still in my belly. Time just flies by. We celebrated Parker's 1st birthday on Saturday, the 26th. Friends and family came over to the house where we had a cow themed birthday party. We ate, opened presents, and had cake and ice cream. Parker loved the cake part. He ate every last crumb. Parker is so lucky to have such wonderful people who care so much about him. Thanks so much to all who came. Not only were we celebrating his birthday, but I think Ryan and I were proud of ourselves for making it through the first year:)

Parker also got his first haircut a few days before the party. Check out how cool he looks:) His great-grandmother (Memaw) who is a hair dresser cut it and did a great job. He was a real wiggler, but we managed to make it through without any disasters.

I love this picture! Parker and Shelby seem to be becoming better friends. Parker just loves her to death, but Shelby gets annoyed. I can tell he is starting to grow on her. I will catch her licking him and playing with him every so often. That is, when he is not pulling on her ears, nose, or tail.

Summer is Here!

Well Summer is upon us and time to head to the pool. Parker loves the water and it gives us a great way to cool off. With school out, I imagine Lindi and Parker will spend a lot of time splashing around.

As we approach Parker's 1 Year birthday, he now has 8 teeth, is taking up to 5-6 steps on his own and loves to babble. This kid is something else. He is real excited to spend the next 2.5 months with mom.

Say Cheeeese...

Parker's newest thrill is grin and show "all" four of his teeth when you say "Cheese." Where he got this from is beyond me, but it is hilarious. Shelby, our Golden Retriever, makes a similar expression when she has done something she shouldn't.... Let's hope it is just his way of smiling.

Parker has now past the 10 month mark and he can really get around. Two months ago you could set him down and that's where he stayed. Now you put him down and he's off...usually trailing you to any room in the house. He's still on all fours, but is getting braver by the day on standing up, balancing and wanting to attempt to walk short distances. He can hold on with one hand and walk a few steps around his toys and some furniture. Won't be long and he'll be stumbling around on his feet.

The spring weather has been nice so we have tried to get out as much as possible before it turns into a sweat box. Parker loves being outside.

Parker's First A&M Experience

Parker experienced Texas A&M for the first time yesterday and the Spring Maroon and White Game. Word of warning to all those parents out there, Kyle Field is not stroller friendly!

The game was a lot of fun...not too hot, not too crowded and the Fighting Texas Aggie Band finished off the afternoon with a great performance. We may have just started a yearly pilgrimage.

Lindi and I bought Parker a table he could play on and preactice standing and balancing. It is so much fun watching him learn and explore everyday. He is such a happy kid.